It has been a long five months in the wilderness but Ben Stokes announced on Wednesday that he was well and truly back with an outstanding all-round display to lead England to a one-day series levelling victory.
Stokes was good on his comeback in Hamilton on Sunday and almost dragged England home against the odds before New Zealand went one-up with a win clinched in the last over. Now the erstwhile vice-captain went one better.
First Stokes was at the forefront of an outstanding England display in the field, taking two wickets and effecting two run outs as New Zealand were restricted to a woefully under-par 223 all out.
Ben Stokes was in blistering form as he raced to his half-century against New Zealand
The New Zealand-born England player also took two wickets as the tourists romped to victory
England ODI captain Eoin Morgan raises his bat after reaching his half-century in Tauranga
Then the man who has been allowed to resume his career here despite facing a crown court trial for affray for his part in the Bristol fracas in September smashed 63 authoritative runs as England cantered home with 73 balls to spare.
This was vintage Stokes as he added 88 with his captain Eoin Morgan, who made his first one-day international 50 in 11 innings, and led England home, hitting Trent Boult for a superlative straight six on the way.
Stokes reached 50 off 54 balls and needed 74 for his unbeaten 63 but it could have all been so different had New Zealand taken the chance to run him out on nought. As it was they were made to regret their lapse.
How different, too, this winter might have been had Stokes been available for the Ashes and what a better side England look when their talisman is playing like this and making it appear as though he has never been away.
This was arguably England’s finest all-round fielding performance under a coach in Trevor Bayliss who demands the highest of standards.
‘Sloppy’ fielding in the first one-day international cost them dear but here there was barely a blemish in a display that featured four sharp run-outs and three outstanding catches among the six safely pouched by England.
Colin Munro winces after getting out from the bowling of Chris Woakes for just one run
Flames shoot up in the distance as England bowler Moeen Ali celebrates taking Martin Guptill
Stokes in action during the second ODI between England and New Zealand at Bay Oval
Among the many things England have missed while Stokes has been away is his example in the field and here he pulled off the last two of those run outs to dismiss Tim Southee and then Trent Boult to end the home innings. Added to the wickets of Henry Nicholls and Lochie Ferguson it was quite a performance.
By then David Willey had executed one superb run-out and one excellent catch and Jason Roy had excelled himself by taking a low catch to dismiss Martin Guptill and a flying one in the gully to send back Henry Nicholls.
New Zealand, seeking their 10th successive one-day international victory without injured captain Kane Williamson, did not help themselves with some awful running between the wickets, not least when Colin de Grandhomme attempted a suicidal second and was beaten by Jonny Bairstow’s throw.
De Grandhomme was the home side’s last chance for a competitive score after they had crashed to 108 for six but with him went their opportunity of putting on a spectacle for the thousands perched on the Bay Oval’s grass banks.
At least they had the consolation of a spirited ninth wicket stand of 69 between Mitchell Santner, the hero of Hamilton, and Lochie Ferguson that included 19 off a Tom Curran over. It at least gave New Zealand respectability.
Ali took two wickets – Guptill and Tom Latham – during an impressive bowling spell for England
Morgan smashes a shot during his 62-run innings to help England to victory in New Zealand
New Zealand were initially even better in the field when De Grandhomme held on to a stunning one-handed catch to send back Joe Root as England lost their first three wickets with only 86 on the board.
But any possibility New Zealand had of getting back in contention were quickly ended when Stokes joined forces with Morgan to stamp his authority on this match and remind everyone that he was well and truly back.
Morgan survived two difficult chances on 27 and 40 but looked in decent touch throughout his 62 off 63 balls with three big sixes.
But this day in the shadows of Mount Manganui in this picturesque part of New Zealand belonged to Stokes, the end coming with a flourish as Jos Buttler joined him in an unbroken stand of 51 and smashed three sixes of his own in a comprehensive victory.
England’s win in Tauranga takes the series level at 1-1 following New Zealand’s opening victory
Stokes needed just 54 balls to reach his half-century under the lights at Bay Oval, Tauranga